Maaneet FF- MILAN-TFD#4/Next thread added - Page 23

MILAN- The Final Destination
PART- 67

Her body was frail yet she managed to drag herself to the light switch. It was morning but the curtains blocked the sunlight from coming into the dark room, her temporary shelter. Her eyes had gotten used to darkness n she didn't want to expose them suddenly to the natural light so she went for the light bulb which threw dim yellow light around.

She had already packed her belongings the night before that were used during her stay at the motel room. From the past 5 days it had been her home n she had no complains yes it was not very grand or something but it was lonely, had a bed n a joint bathroom while the motel provided room service for food so she didn't have to step out. She stayed inside n to fight the pain slept mostly, thanks to her sleeping pills.

Opening the purse, she glanced at the money. 250 Rs was what she had been left with. Mortgaging jewel she had borrowed 5000 from the jewellery shop. The jewellery she had though seemingly were hers but were given by Rajendra Uncle so decided on mortgaging the smallest piece from it, a pair of pearl earring studded in gold. It would have fetched her more but she took only 5000 considering she had to get them back at the earliest n her card was also not with her.

After getting out of the car she had chosen a small motel on the roadside. The charge was 700 per day... in other words within her budget, though she had to compromise with her meds, purchasing only the sleeping pills. They were enough anyway; she won't feel anything when asleep so it was all well n good. Her appetite was also not much now a days, she remembered ordering food for like 2-3 times, it saved money.

Giving one last look to the room she closed the door n left.

Maan's car approached her as she waited a few meters away from the mansion on the scheduled time. The driver opened the door n she sat beside Maan. Looking at her only, Maan felt an aura of sadness surround him. He also noticed that she seemed worse than before, almost sick-which she was.

They reached Mansion where Dadimaa was present glowing with happiness unknown to the ugly truth. Immediately Geet excused herself n Dadimaa assumed it to be exhaustion after the long trip. She tried to talk to Maan but he deliberately left for his room aware of his Dadimaa's coming interrogation.

Next day, evening...

Geet stood before the mirror surveying her appearance to her bad luck Nakul had just informed about Rajendra's arrival.

Dark shadow occupied the space below her eyes which looked puffy n sleep deprived even though what she did lately was just sleeping. Her face was pale, cheeks sucked in making her cheek bones overly prominent. Downwards her collar bones were protruding out n she looked utterly thin. Any other girl at her place would have been dancing with glee due to the obvious weight loss. She wasn't. She felt weak n tired; there was always this pain-faint or loud-following her like a ghost. In short,

She looked pathetic.

One look at her n Rajendra would know that she was certainly not well. So she quickly started working on her appearance, the old man didn't needed more trouble considering her. She was already head buried under his depts. He had saved her from her family, gave her a home to live in n god knows spent how much on her basic necessities n treatment.

Applying light make up so that it doesn't give rise to suspicion (as she hardly used it), she put on heavy cloths to hide her petite frame n with hope that she would be successful in playing the trick, she came downstairs.

Finding her uncle sitting with Dadimaa, Geet searched their faces to see if anyhow they figured out about her false trip, but the smiles on their faces said the opposite.

Maan was also their sitting beside Rajendra with Jia in his lap, she didn't left his side since the moment he came back not like he minded. He craved for her so much that he himself wouldn't have left her. But right now a few things bothered him why Rajendra was not saying something about Geet staying at his place while Dadimaa had already told him about their 'mini honeymoon' n why Geet lived with him before marriage (about which he came to know today only from their conversation) n not with her parents, where were they?

Arre Geet aap aa gayi beta. Dadimaa said on seeing Geet. Dekhiye kaun aaya hai aapse milne.

Namaste Uncle. Geet greeted with smile while Rajendra engulfed her in a warm hug.

Mai thik hu. She answered same time fearing him not to scrutinize her too much.

To avoid close view she quickly moved back n sat beside Dadimaa.

Toh how was your vacation? Rajendra asked with a smile, internally too happy that his child's life was progressing on the right track.

It was good uncle. Geet replied looking into Rajendra's eyes not faltering a bit.

Born talent with lying. Maan thought while Geet held on to the fake stance tightly not ready to include anyone in her life, in her suffering.

Although Maan knew Geet was lying rather perfectly, Rajendra wasn't. He looked genuinely happy with the news of their trip which indicated only one thing; Geet didn't go to her house like she said. She mislead him in the same way she did years ago the only difference was he was no more affected by it. The question was where Geet stayed for the last 5 days, may be with her parents but as far as he knew they were not in same city because he couldn't remember anyone introducing themselves as Geet's mom or dad at their marriage. Or maybe she was with another man. Don't know why but he frowned at the last thought.

Sorry bte I was in Japan with Meera, you know na she is there for the telecom project so wasn't able to visit you earlier. Rajendra apologised really regretful about not visiting at her new house after marriage.

One more shock came to Maan, so Rajendra was Meera's father, he knew he had heard the name somewhere before but it didn't struck the right chord until he heard Meera's name.

It's okay uncle. Geet assured. Meera kaise hai?

Bas 'kaisi hai'... listening to Meera's name Geet should have gone mad. The reaction was somewhat cold according to Maan. Geet was extremely close to Meera n their relationship was real. Not only in college but Geet was fond of her best friend since childhood to the levels of pure insanity. She had run from her home in search of Meera, stepping into a totally new city at a very small age. But then people change n so their relationships. Perhaps that was what happened to Geet n Meera. Geet didn't seem so intimate to Meera now, she must have changed further, last time he checked she had turned from naive little child to a cunning girl.

Meera is absolutely fine beta. When Rajendra had told Meera about Geet's marriage, it hadn't settled well with his daughter, she got really furious. Though she was incredulous how Geet agreed for the marriage, the fact that she didn't knew the boy pricked her. After what happened to Geet, she had become very protective of her, which was justified... Geet had gone through so much. Rajendra knew Meera never showed but she loved her deeply.

Rajendra was aware Meera knowing about Geet's marriage to Maan will create problems, so he hid the full truth only telling the basic n partial information about Maan, like he was a businessman n good for Geet, never even by mistake he disclosed Maan's name otherwise it would have ended really bad. But hiding the fact from Meera was not easy, she was smart beyond limits n only he knew how he dealt with her. Still she promised to finish the work prior n return as soon as possible, Rajendra just wished before her arrival, Maan n Geet get through with their differences.

Hmm... The small sound from Geet brought him out of thoughts.

Rajendra suddenly remembered a peculiar thing. Geet bete Meera was trying to contact you but you were not picking up your phone, same with me I also tried but no response. It was only when I returned that I found out your phone was at home. He informed.

Haan wo I had forgotten it there. Geet stated blandly.

Geet apka phone ghar per reh gaya tha toh you should have told us, hum naya dila dete ya ghar se aapka phone le aate. Dadimaa said not understanding why Geet didn't tell anyone about it.

No it was not that important. Geet said. There are not too many calls that I receive.

There were some other belonging of yours in your room; I brought them since I was coming. Rajendra handed her a suit case n the mobile.

While taking her things Geet wondered if the suit case had her card while Maan was thinking how could someone in modern world live without a mobile.

The conversation progressed n Rajendra befriended Jia, which was not that hard. After some time he decided to leave, Geet escorted him outside n Dadimaa choose to give them some privacy.

Apni saari zimmedari acche se nibhana. Now you are with your in laws don't give them a chance to complain. Rajendra said, he may not be her real father but he was no less either. Sabka khayal rakhna aur apna bhi. Saying he patted her cheek n left in his car.

Geet realised he was right but she was not fulfilling her duties, there may not be any relationship between her n Maan. But she accepted she was Jia's mother n daughter in law of Khurana family n with the positions came the responsibilities. She instantly rushed to her room n checked her suit case.